• >> Your local pharmacist can help advise you on steps to take and medicines to help ease an upset stomach
• >> Antibiotics will not treat cold or flu symptoms, as these illnesses are caused by a viral infection not bacterial
• >> In most cases, fever is due to a common and harmless illness and will get better by itself within around 5 days
• >> A plaster is just for protection, it won't help the cut heal so only leave it on for between 24 and 48 hours
• >> A cough can last for up to 3 weeks and there is usually no need to see a doctor
• >> Feeling unwell but not sure what to do? Call NHS 111 – it's free and open 24 hours a day, every day
• >> Most people will be as good as new within 6-8 weeks of a sprain or strain

• Cold or flu?

  Flu is caused by a different group of viruses to a common cold, and symptoms of flu tend to be more severe and last longer.
  
  With flu, you are likely to experience a fever, tiredness and general aches and pains in your muscles and joints, whereas a common cold isn’t associated with these symptoms.

• Recovery

  The majority of cold and flu symptoms will clear up in 4-5 days.
  
  However, complete recovery from a cold or flu can take between 10-14 days. We know it can feel like forever when you’re not well, but it’s completely normal!

• Symptoms

  Common symptoms of a cold include:

  • sore throat
  • dry cough
  • sneezing and blocked nose
  • headache.

  If you have flu, you are also likely to experience:

  • high temperature (fever)
  • shivering
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • dizziness.

• Treating a cold or flu

  There is no cure for a cold, but you can treat the symptoms yourself at home or with help from over the counter medicines at your pharmacy, so you don’t need to take a trip to your GP.
  
  

  Did you know?

  Antibiotics will not treat cold or flu symptoms, as these illnesses are caused by a viral infection not bacterial.

  
  
  To get better quickly:

  • get plenty of rest
  • drink lots of fluids
  • take either paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce your temperature and ease any aches and pains
  • sleep on a high pillow if your nose is bunged up at night.

  Your local pharmacist can recommend the best medication for your symptoms, such as lozenges for sore throats, decongestants, steam inhalations and cough syrup.

• When to seek medical advice

  Call NHS 111 or visit your GP if you have any of the following symptoms and are worried:

  • a high temperature above 39°C (102.2°F) that doesn’t come down after taking ibuprofen or paracetamol
  • sharp chest pains
  • difficulty breathing
  • swollen glands in your neck and/or armpits
  • severe pain or discomfort in your face related to sinusitis
  • severe earache with no improvements after 24 hours
  • if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks.

If you're concerned about yourself, a relative or friend, call NHS 111 for medical advice, this free service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The advisors taking 111 calls are in the same room as those answering 999 calls, so if urgent attention is needed, they can arrange it immediately for you.